Russian And Belarusian Troops Perform Joint Military Actions At Training Ground In Belarus

These images apparently show Russian and Belarusian soldiers conducting joint military exercises.

The joint operation allegedly took place at the training ground on the territory of Belarus.

In the footage, soldiers from both armies appear to be conducting firing exercises in polar conditions.

The footage was obtained by Newsflash from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 28th December, along with a statement: “The units of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, which are part of the regional grouping of forces, conducted combat coordination activities on the territory of Belarus.

“At one of the training grounds, in the course of joint exercises, military personnel worked out elements of tactical, fire, medical and engineering training, as well as driving combat vehicles over rough terrain.”

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 308th day of the invasion.

Picture shows snipers firring at the Belorussian training grounds in Belarus in undated footage. The footage was released by the Russian MoD on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 28th December, Russia had lost about 103,770 personnel, 3,017 tanks, 6,037 armoured combat vehicles, 1,999 artillery units, 418 multiple launch rocket systems, 212 air defence systems, 283 warplanes, 267 helicopters, 1,707 drones, 653 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,660 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 179 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported the number of civilian casualties in Russia’s war on Ukraine has reached as many as 6,884 people, including 429 children, who are believed to have died in Ukraine between 24th February to 26th December 2022.

But the actual figure could be “considerably higher”, the agency said, “as the receipt of information from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration.”

Air raid warnings continue to be in effect in Ukraine’s capital, according to the Kyiv city state administration.

Soldier fire from a heavy machine gun at the Belorussian training grounds in Belarus in undated footage. The footage was released by the Russian MoD on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

The bodies of 42 Ukrainian servicemen who died while fighting have been returned to Ukraine, the Ukrainian government reported.

The European Union has announced that it will support “more than 700,000 Ukrainians in the winter” as the war rages on.

Britain’s Defence Ministry said the front line in eastern Ukraine remains little changed despite fierce fighting on both sides, but without making any major advances.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the situation along the eastern front line in Donbas “difficult and painful”.

An Australian man has reportedly died fighting in Ukraine, according to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Sage O’Donnell, from the south-eastern state of Victoria, was allegedly killed just before Christmas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree according to which Moscow will ban oil sales to countries to nations participating in an imposed cap from February 2023.

Soldier fire from a heavy machine gun at the Belorussian training grounds in Belarus in undated footage. The footage was released by the Russian MoD on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

The gas cap is to be set at EUR 180 (GBP 157) as of 15th February after European officials agreed to intervene in the energy crisis.